Effects of cold stress on manatees and conservation applications of biomarkers. Final report.

Abstract

The goals of the project included three primary components which are the acquisition of serum from cold stressed manatees, and subsequent applications of selected biomarkers to assess effects of cold stress on significant biological functions. Implicit in such assessments of stress is the need to develop baselines for unstressed individuals; to use serial samples of serum from cold stressed manatees undergoing rehabilitation to assess the time needed for such animals to regain "normal" functioning of critical systems; and to provide information to managers and modelers to promote better informed assessments of the long-and short-term effects of cold stress on exposed manatee populations. Serum samples used during this study were obtained from 102 free-ranging manatees that were captured and sampled as part of health assessment studies conducted in Florida and Mexico. Results are described.